Larkfield Junction: 10001/0 on down 'Royal Scot'. Larkfield Junction. 17.05.1957

Williamwood: A view from the East Kilbride line of 42144 near Williamwood on 17 May 1960 with the 5.24pm Glasgow Central to Whitecraigs train. The embankment in the background carries the spur from Muirend to Clarkston East Junction. [Ref query 6879]

Lugton East Junction: Empty stock at Lugton East sidings on 25 June 1956 behind Fairburn tank 42208.

Muirend: A Glasgow Central - Neilston High train leaving Muirend on 17 May 1960 behind Fairburn tank 42268.

Williamwood: Fairburn tank 42060 photographed leaving Williamwood on 17 May 1960 with the 5.12pm Glasgow Central - Uplawmoor service.

Eastfield Shed: Fresh from Cowlairs Works, Black Five No 45286 cuts a fine figure at Eastfield shed on 17 May 1964 with its home shed of Carlisle Kingmoor emblazoned on the buffer beam. Note the two storey prefabs on the hillside.

Wombwell Main Junction: With a long rake of loose coupled coal hoppers pressing on the rear buffers, the regenerative braking on EM1 electric No 26039 will no doubt have been doing its stuff all the way from Woodhead summit. Here the train is nearing the end of its journey as it passes Wombwell Main Junction on its way to Wath Yard.

Sheffield Midland: The south end of Sheffield Midland station was once graced by this fine signal-box in classic MR style. While the MR usually described the different boxes at a given location by referring to the points of the compass, in this instance it has to resort to numerical differentiation also (of which method, the LNWR was the prime exponent).

Comrie (Fife) LC: An ex-LMS brake van brings up the rear of a train on the NCB mineral line from Comrie Colliery to Oakley Yard, Fife, in May 1976. The train is crossing the A907 at a location still referred to locally as the 'White Gates'. See image [[22451]]

Oakley Exchange Yard: NCB no.5 (Hunslet 3837 of 1953) prepares to leave Oakley Yard with empties for Comrie Colliery on 17 May 1976.

Hythe: A Class 308/1 EMU is recorded between Wivenhoe and Hythe while working a Clacton/Walton to Colchester local service on 17th May 1976. These 1961 vintage units were replaced on this line by Class 313 EMUs in the early 1980s, but made a comeback after refurbishment and soldiered on for a few more years.

Eastfield MPD: Eastfield Depot Open Day on 17th May 1986. A dreich morning but an impressive line up of West Highland Scottie logo Class 37's, 27's and a Class 26 in Railfreight colours.

Eastfield MPD: On a dismal open day at Eastfield Depot a well turned out Class 37 37085 stands at the old fueling shed. 17th May 1986.

Bowhill: End of the line at Bowhill in May 1991, with track lifted beyond the NCB gate. (The pit closed in 1968 but the preparation plant survived into the 1980s).

Ore Viaduct: Viaduct over the River Ore on the Bowhill branch, Fife, located between Bowhill Junction and Glencraig Junction, carrying a line that served various collieries in the area west of Cardenden. Photographed looking south west in May 1991.

Bowhill Junction: The B981 road bridge spanning the trackbed of the former branch running to Glencraig Colliery, Fife (closed 1966), which left the Bowhill line just beyond Bowhill Junction to the west of Cardenden. Photographed looking west in May 1991.

Glencraig Junction: Looking south east along the Bowhill branch towards Glencraig Junction on 17 May 1991. A class 150 unit is passing on a Fife Circle service between Cardenden and Lochgelly.

Dumfries: This fine piece of platform furniture seen at Dumfries in May 1998 puts the rather humdrum modern replacements in the shade (and has managed to retain most of its paint).

Boat of Garten: British Railways era enamel run-in board at Boat of Garten on 17 May 1998

Crianlarich: 37424, in TransRail livery, seen at Crianlarich in May 1998. Still on the main line in 2021 running as 37558 in large logo livery with Direct Rail Services. See image [[72234]].

Boat of Garten: No 9 waits at Boat of Garten to return to Aviemore on 17 May 1998

Hove: Platform view at Hove station in May 2002.

Hove: Platform view over the north side of Hove station on 17 May 2002. [Ref query 17798]

Hove: A terminating service from the Brighton direction runs into Hove station in 2002.

Logierait Viaduct: The 1865 Logierait Viaduct in May 2003. The crossing over the Tay is now a community owned structure.

Logierait Viaduct: Logierait Viaduct - 17 May 2003.

Haymarket: Scotlands busiest mainline platforms? Haymarket station platforms 3 and 4 in May 2004, with ScotRail 158s standing side by side in the sunshine.

Salfords: Up CIG unit 1902 approaching Salfords station in May 2005.

Horley: A Gatwick Express nears Horley in May 2005.

Salfords: Platform scene at Salfords station in May 2005 with a slamdoor 4 VEP unit bound for Gatwick Airport.

Reigate: The diminutive Reigate crossing box on 17 May 2005. On the left is the busy A217 London Road.

Dalegarth: Leaving Eskdale for Ravenglass - May 2006.

Kingsland Viaduct: East London Line Extension work now underway on the Kingsland Viaduct. May 2007.

Carstairs: The 08.41 service to Edinburgh Waverley leaving Carstairs on 17 May 2007. The Pendolino will subsequently form the 10.10 Waverley - London Euston. See image [[15393]]

Carstairs: 8.39am and the arrival of the branch train at Carstairs. No need to book a seat on this one! An empty Pendolino arrives from Glasgow Central to form the 08.41 Carstairs - Edinburgh local service on 17 May. See image [[15042]]

Carstairs: Crossing the up WCML on the approach to Carstairs station at 0835 on 17 May 2007 is EWS 90026 with the empty stock of the Edinburgh portion of the Caledonian Sleeper. The train is heading for Polmadie depot.

Carstairs: 8.30am on a wet Thursday at Carstairs. 57316 Fab1 held in the down loop on a freight awaiting a passing movement off the Edinburgh line. The passengers are off the 05.10 Manchester Piccadilly - Glasgow Central awaiting the branch connection to Waverley. See image [[15040]]

Fairlie: A Largs - Glasgow Central train picks up 2 passengers and a bike at Fairlie on 17 May 2007. see image [[31881]]

Largs: 318269 running into Largs station on 17 May 2007 with a service from Glasgow Central.

Largs: Looking towards the buffer stops at Largs station on 17 May 2007. View is from the footbridge, with a train from Glasgow just arriving at platform 2.

Saltcoats: Meet on the Ledge. I doubt if Fairport Convention had such a scenario in mind when they released their 1960s classic. Still, our two friends look comfy enough. View east along Glencairn Street, Saltcoats, in May 2007 showing the station building on the Glasgow bound platform.

Largs: The original 4-platform layout at Largs was reduced to 2 platforms following a planned rationalisation in the mid 1980s. Further unplanned changes became necessary 10 years later, after an arriving train ran through the buffer stops before coming to rest on Main Street. The wall on the right runs along the edge of the old platform 1, with the former railway land beyond now occupied by shops and car parking. Photograph taken looking back towards the concourse in May 2007. For a pre-rationalisation view see image [[36932]].

Saltcoats: A coal train passing east through Saltcoats station on 17 May 2007 on its way from Hunterston import terminal to Longannet power station.

Saltcoats: Some of the interesting architecture at Saltcoats station. 17 May 2007.

Ardrossan Town: Looking over Princes Street level crossing on 17 May 2007 in the general direction of Ardrossan Harbour. Ardrossan Town station stands behind the camera.

Ardrossan North: Remains at Ardrossan North in May 2007 with the Arran Ferry berthed in the background. The line continued on to Montgomerie Pier with a link to the G&SW Winton Pier branch turning off to the left just beyond the end of the platforms. A large Shell refinery, together with associated sidings, once occupied much of the land to the right of the picture. Ardrossan North lost its passenger service in 1932. The Shell refinery closed in the 1980s. See image [[23867]]

Ardrossan Town: View north from Princes Street level crossing over Ardrossan Town station in May 2007.

Largs: Largs in May 2007, showing the infilled bay platforms on the right. Much of the pedestrian traffic uses the route through the station to access the local Superstore, built on the site of the former goods yard (behind camera).

Ardrossan Harbour: End of the line at Ardrossan Harbour on 17 May with the ferry about to depart.

Ardrossan Harbour: Entrance to Ardrossan Harbour station from the ferry terminus. May 2007.

Saltcoats: A Glasgow Central - Largs service runs into Saltcoats on 17 May 2007.

Holm Junction: View west at Holm Junction, Ardrossan, in May 2007. From left to right are the lines to Ardrossan Harbour, the former line to the sidings and shed, the passenger line to Largs and the freight only line used mainly by the Hunterston coal trains.

Saltcoats: The substantial building on the Glasgow bound platform of the 1882 Saltcoats station in May 2007.

Largs: Welcome to Largs. View looking south east across the A78 Main Street towards the station entrance in May 2007.

Carstairs: Pouring rain at Carstairs on 17 May 2007 as the early morning Glasgow Central - London Kings Cross GNER service slows through the platforms in preparation for the turn north towards Edinburgh.

Carstairs: 90026 with the empty stock of the Edinburgh portion of the Caledonian Sleeper crossing the up WCML and entering Carstairs on 17 May en route to Polmadie.

Saltcoats: Ae fond kiss... Saltcoats farewell, Glasgow bound platform, 17 May 2007.

Largs: An SPT liveried class 318 EMU from Glasgow Central about to enter Largs station at the end of its 43 mile journey on the morning of 17 May 2007.

Saltcoats: Former station offices and station masters house at Saltcoats facing onto Vernon Street in May 2007 with the current station entrance just beyond.

Carstairs: Thunderbird 57316 Fab1 held in the down loop at Carstairs on a wet Thursday morning in May 2007 with a rake of steel flats.

Largs: The next train for Glasgow Central awaits its departure time alongside platform 2 at Largs station on 17 May 2007. The SPT liveried EMU is 318269.

Saltcoats: South side of Saltcoats station in May 2007 looking east at the former offices/station masters house between the platform (left) and Vernon Street.

Carstairs: A rake of empty steel flats held in the down loop alongside Carstairs station on a wet May morning in 2007. The locomotive is Virgin Thunderbird no 57316 'Fab 1'.

Carstairs: EWS 90026 comes off the Edinburgh line at Carstairs on a May morning in 2007 with the empty stock of the previous night's Caledonian Sleeper. The train is in the process of crossing over the up West Coast Main Line on its way from Waverley to Polmadie Depot for routine servicing and layover.

Saltcoats: The 12.16 Largs - Glasgow Central restarts after calling at Saltcoats on 17 May 2007. The station, the third to serve Saltcoats, was opened in 1882, although the town's New Trinity Church in the background pre-dates it by more than a century.

Saltcoats: Glasgow bound platform at Saltcoats. View east on 17 May.

West Kilbride: Side view of West Kilbride station on 17 May looking towards Largs.

West Kilbride: The attractive station at West Kilbride, seen here on 17 May 2007. The front of the building was fenced off at the time as a result of alterations taking place as part of its conversion to a restaurant. See image [[36376]]

Carstairs: A very wet Thursday morning at Carstairs in May 2007 as EWS 90026 runs through the station off the Edinburgh line with empty stock of the Caledonian Sleeper heading for Polmadie. The train is about to overtake 'Thunderbird' 57316 Fab1 held in the loop with a northbound freight.

Fairlie Tunnel: A slightly tatty looking 318269, forming a Largs - Glasgow Central service, leaves the south portal of Fairlie tunnel and slows for the station stop on 17 May 2007.

Ardrossan South Beach: View from the B728 road bridge, over South Beach station, Ardrossan, looking towards Saltcoats in May 2007.

West Kilbride: Platform side view over West Kilbride station in May 2007 looking northwest towards Largs. Work on conversion of the building to a restaurant continues.

Largs: The cluttered entrance to Largs station from Main Street in May 2007.

Largs: View across part of the station concourse at Largs in May 2007.

Saltcoats: EWS 66165 brings an eastbound coal train from Hunterston Import Terminal through platform 1 at Saltcoats station on 17 May 2007 on its way to Longannet power station.

Saltcoats: The 1431 Ardrossan Town - Glasgow Central service arrives at Saltcoats on 17 May 2007.

Clitheroe: Diverted due to engineering works, a southbound Pendolino stands at Horrocksford Junction on 17 May en route from Hellifield back to the WCML. In the background a local DMU service prepares to undertake a crossover and reverse back into Clitheroe station prior to starting its return journey to Manchester Victoria. Drag locomotive at the head of the Pendolino is Thunderbird 57315 The Mole.

Clitheroe: A Glasgow - Birmingham Voyager, diverted due to engineering work, crawls west through Clitheroe station on Saturday 17 May. The train is following in the wake of a local Clitheroe - Manchester Victoria DMU (as far as Blackburn) as it heads towards the WCML to regain its normal route south.

Kilkenny: The 1828 to Waterford runs into Kilkenny station behind IE 212 on 17 May 2008. The locomotive will run round here before setting off on the final leg of its journey.

Morecambe Harbour: The view inland from Morecambe Harbour showing the famous art deco Midland Hotel that was built opposite Morecambe Promenade station and across the former Harbour Line formation in the 1930s. The Midland, a former railway hotel, was closed for many years but was refurbished and reopened again in June 2008.

Oubeck Loops: Track renewal at Oubeck Loops, on the West Coast Main Line south of Lancaster, during the weekend closure on 17 May. 60096 stands on the down line. View is south towards Galgate. Map ref SD 480574

Clitheroe: The rail/bus interchange outside Clitheroe station on 17 May. No, not a shortage of vehicles, but a guest appearance by Sentinel steam bus Martha as part of the towns Festival weekend. Clitheroe Castle overlooks the scene from the hill in the background.

Darwen: A Clitheroe to Manchester Victoria train has just left Darwen and is heading south towards Bolton on 17 May 2008.

Oubeck Loops: 66193 supports track relaying operations at Oubeck Loops on the WCML south of Lancaster on 17 May. The signal PN211 controls access to the down loop. (Map ref SD 480564).

Drumchapel: 320322 runs into Drumchapel with a Balloch service on 17 May 2008.

Bathgate [4th]: 158 714 leaves the doomed Bathgate station for Waverley on 17 May 2008.

Oubeck Loops: Awaiting the call to move into the working area, 66248 sits in the WCML cutting north of the Oubeck loops with an infrastructure train during a relaying possession. The signal to the right of the locomotive normally controls access into the Up Loop. Map Ref SD 490575

Kilpatrick: An Airdrie service at Kilpatrick on 17 May formed by 320 316.

Bare Lane: Two parallel single lines run from Bare Lane to Morecambe and 153360, on a service from Lancaster, is travelling towards the camera on the far line. The station house is a private residence and the signal box operates signals and points as well as the level crossing.

Burnside: Newton train at Burnside on 17 May formed by 314216.

Drumchapel: 334038 with a Larkhall service at Drumchapel on 17 May 2008.

Glasgow Queen Street Low Level: ..pausing only to subtract the number you first thought of...? More than a quick glance required. Queen Street Low Level on 17 May.

Horrocksford Junction: The signal box at Horrocksford Junction on 17 May 2008 with 150143 crossing over before running back to Clitheroe station where it will form the next service to Manchester Victoria.

Morecambe Harbour: For over 50 years passengers could transfer direct from trains onto coastal steamers at the Harbour station but it closed in 1904. Goods traffic continued until 1933. Now known as the Stone Jetty cafe the sea defences around it have grown considerably in recent years but the building survives and is popular. View across Morecambe Bay to the Cumbrian Coast.

Horrocksford Junction: A diverted northbound Pendolino is dragged east through Horrocksford Junction towards Hellifield on 17 May by 57314 Firefly.

Garrowhill: 320 319 pauses at Garrowhill station on 17 May en route to Drumgelloch.

Darwen: A Clitheroe - Manchester Victoria train runs into Darwen station on 17 May 2008.

Kilkenny: Remains of the old through station at Kilkenny in May 2008 - the line, which is now lifted, formerly continued to Maryborough on the main line from Dublin to Cork.

Kilkenny: The current station at Kilkenny, fashioned from the former goods shed, seen on 17 May 2008.

Darwen: The plaque fixed to the wall of the current Darwen station marking the cutting of the first sod of the Blackburn to Bolton railway on 27 September 1845 and the opening of the Blackburn to Sough section on 03 August 1847. The remaining part from Sough to Bolton opening on 12 June 1848. Sough was the location of an accident in 1857 when a loco boiler exploded. 110 years later and this time in the tunnel there was another accident when a DMU caught fire inside the tunnel.

Snibston Colliery: Driver to engine: its no good dearest, the fire has gone from our relationship. Engine to driver: dont be silly, I'm fireless. Display in the Snibston Museum featuring fireless locomotive No 2 (Andrew Barclay 1815 of 1924).

Snibston Colliery: I have no idea whether the signal box builder liked a pint - why do you ask? Seriously, the offset cabin probably made good sense in the original box location not far away at Coalville Crossing. see image [[26664]]

Aigle: A Brig to Geneva Airport train calls at Aigle on 17 May.

Aigle: Metre gauge trains of the Transport Publics du Chablais network at Aigle on 17th May 2009.

Coalville: One careful owner - this 0-4-0 outside cylinder saddle tank on display at Snibston Discovery Museum has that look about it. One or two years out of boiler ticket, perhaps? The locomotive was built by Brush at Loughborough in 1906, originally for use on Swansea Docks.

Lausanne: An SNCF Paris bound TGV service prepares for departure from Lausanne station on 17th May 2009.

Dalgety Bay: 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley climbs away from Dalgety Bay with the Edinburgh-Dundee special on 17 May.

Coalville Town: The name Coalville makes it quite clear how this town was founded. But if you still don't get the picture, this crossing on Belvoir Road should put you straight. This Stephenson-built railway connected to the Leicester and Swannington Railway, and had 150 years of revenue earning service (1833-1983). Rails have been relaid to the right by the Snibston colliery museum, but the left side has been turned into a footpath to a supermarket.

Inverkeithing East Junction: 60009 Union of South Africa and support coach join the main line at Inverkeithing East Junction on 17 May en route from Thornton to Dundee to work the return Coronation.

Hexham: View west from the footbridge at Hexham station on 17 May 2009 with signal box in background.

Ribblehead: 5690 'Leander' approaches Ribblehead station with the southbound Settle - Carlisle Express railtour on 17 May 2009. [Compare this shot with RB image 23644 which was taken about 50m away in a field to the left.]

Snibston Colliery: The resident diesel-hydraulic shunter with single coach crossing the entrance road to the Snibston Discovery Centre and colliery museum. A certain website with multiple maps sadly can't tell me the name of this road. Nor do its aerial pictures show the houses on the right!

Ribblehead Viaduct: 5690 'Leander' crosses Ribblehead viaduct with the southbound Settle - Carlisle Express railtour on 17 May 2009. The tour was running over 20 minutes ahead of schedule as it coasted over the viaduct.

Snibston Colliery: This diesel-hydraulic shunter used to haul coal from Snibston Colliery to sidings adjacent to the Leicester-Burton line. It is now reduced to hauling a single coach full of grockles. Seen from the weighbridge office (part of the colliery tour; unlike Big Pit at Blaenavon, this is entirely above ground).

Hexham: 156444 on a Northern trains Carlisle - Newcastle working awaits its 11.59 departure time from Hexham Station on 17th May 2009.

Snibston Colliery: This dainty little bascule bridge was formerly located astride a canal near the Snibston museum. It wouldn't be a good idea to leave the wagon there when the bridge was opened.

Long Preston: The staggered platforms at Long Preston looking towards Skipton on 17 May 2009. The public access from the road to the northbound platform is on this side of the road bridge. There is a narrow section of platform under the bridge to access the platform shelter at the far end. There is a notice warning pasengers not to stand on this section of platform as trains approach.

Basel: The evening Zurich - Paris TGV arrives at Basel SBB station on 17 May.

Glen Ogle Viaduct: Glen Ogle viaduct looking south east on 17 May 2010. As with the railway the cycle track is now a Prize Length compared with the ballast when I last visited in the 1980s.

Polkemmet Junction: A DBS class 66 on the rear of a PW train stands on the new down line on 17 May 2010 after delivering CWR. View from Whitburn Road bridge back towards Bathgate.

Edinburgh Waverley: 60019 Bittern simmering gently in the morning sunshine at Waverley platform 1 on the morning of 17 May 2010. The A4 was at the head of 'The Coronation', an Edinburgh - London return special which it was scheduled to take south as far as York.

St Germains Level Crossing: 60019 Bittern approaches St Germains level crossing with The Coronation Edinburgh - York - London Kings Cross charter on 17 May 2010. 47760 is bringing up the rear.

Fort William: The Jacobite season is underway at Fort William. The photograph shows 45231 preparing to take the train on its journey to Mallaig on a warm and sunny 17 May 2010.

Peebles [2nd]: Memento of the last train, alongside the former station site on Edinburgh Road, Peebles, in May 2010. A flower bed is now in place together with a plaque. See image [[29875]]

Seafield Level Crossing: A brash claim was made see image [[28924]] that nobody used the footbridge at Seafield, so in an effort to prove myself wrong here is a picture taken from said footbridge on 17 May, looking east towards the level crossing and the junction at Portobello.

St Germains Level Crossing: 322 484 passes St Germains level crossing with a North Berwick - Edinburgh service on 17 May.

Birmingham International: London Midland EMU 350245 arriving at Birmingham International on 17 May.

Niddrie North Junction: 71000 Duke of Gloucester bringing up the rear of an empty stock movement to Millerhill (hauled by 66099) on 17 May passing the site of Niddrie North Junction. See image [[34122]]

Kilmarnock: Polmadie Virgin 'Thunderbird' no 57309 Brains pauses at Kilmarnock on 0Z31 Carlisle to Polmadie driver route training on 17 May. See image [[34121]]

Didcot Parkway: Restored GWR steam railmotor no 93 in operation at the Great Western Society depot at Didcot on 17 May 2011. Photographed from the platform at Didcot Station.

Brunstane: 66099 with the empty stock of 'The Lothian Tornado' passing Brunstane bound for Millerhill on 17 May. BR Standard Pacific no 71000 Duke of Gloucester was on the rear of the train see image [[34130]].

Oxford: First Great Western DMU no 165137 waiting to depart from Oxford on 17 May with a service to Bicester Town.

St Germains Level Crossing: DBS 66151 passes St Germains on 17 May with empty pipe wagons from Leith South yard.

Oxford: Freightliner 66543 speeds south through the centre road at Oxford station on 17 May with a container train.

St Germains Level Crossing: 322484 passes St Germains with the 13.20 from North Berwick to Edinburgh Waverley on 17 May 2011.

Oxford: 66020 takes containers north through the centre road at Oxford on 17 May, while a First Great Western DMU service to Paddington awaits its departure time at platform 1.

St Germains Level Crossing: 'The Lothian Tornado', on its way from Sheffield to Edinburgh, charges over St Germains level crossing on 17 May 2011 behind 71000 'Duke of Gloucester' which had taken over the train at York.

Oxford: There's no answer to that... Freightliner 66607 looks puzzled as it pulls up with a northbound ballast train at Oxford on 17 May for a crew change.

Plates, signs, notices etc: Nameplate carried by Virgin 'Thunderbird' no 57309 Brains complete with 'International Rescue' logo. See image [[34133]]

St Pancras: View along Midland Road looking along the west side of St Pancras International with the steel and glass extension seen beyond the original Barlow structure.

Poulton-le-Fylde: Passing under the street level L&YR booking office to run non-stop through Poulton-le-Fylde station is a Blackpool North to Liverpool service, formed by 156489. In the foreground the old through line trackbed can be seen, now used for car parking.

Wakefield Kirkgate: Platform 1 canopy removal at the commencement of major refurbishment works to bring the Wakefield Kirkgate station building back into commercial use. Situation as at 17 May 2012.

Stirling: What a difference a day makes - or a half-century. Platform 7 at Stirling on 17 May 2012, with the 15.53 to Queen Street awaiting its departure time. See image [[20536]] for the same view in 1962!

Didcot Parkway: Freightliner 66540 gets the road east through Didcot on 17 May 2012 with a load of containers from Wentloog, Cardiff, heading for Southampton.

Didcot Parkway: 31105 on a departmental working in Didcot sidings on 17 May 2012.

St Pancras: View along Midland Road on the west side of St Pancras in May 2012 showing the new modernist extension to the original Barlow trainshed.

Reading: A pair of Southern emu's wait at the Gatwick platforms at Reading station on 17 May 2012.

Poulton-le-Fylde: TPE 185128 leaves Poulton heading for Preston and, ultimately, Manchester Airport. The train is just passing the site of the former junction with the long closed line to Poulton goods station, originally part of a direct line to Fleetwood. Several overbridges on the Blackpool line are now being raised as part of the preparations for the long awaited electrification scheme.

Didcot Parkway: A Networrk Rail track cleaning unit standing in the sidings at Didcot on 17 May 2012.

Didcot Parkway: EWS 66096 passing the GWS site at Didcot with a container train on 17 May heading east towards Reading.

Stirling North Junction: The up 'Highland Chieftain' photographed approaching Stirling on 17 May during monsoon conditions.

Haymarket: Platform 1 at Haymarket on 17 May 2013, with the East Coast 09.52 Aberdeen - London Kings Cross about to leave platform 1 and enter Haymarket Tunnel.

Nuneaton: Grille spotting on platform 7 at Nuneaton. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it.

Edinburgh Waverley: Looking west along platform 8 at Waverley on 17 May 2013 as the 12.43 arrival from Helensburgh Central prepares to leave as the 13.07 to Milngavie.

West End - Princes Street [Tram]: A definite touch of the Ghost Town about this view from the west end of Princes Street along Shandwick Place at noon on Friday 17 May 2013. Easy to imagine a ball of tumbleweed blowing along the tracks from the Haymarket direction.

Haymarket: The 09.52 Aberdeen - Kings Cross arrives at Haymarket platform 1 on 17 May 2013 during major building and refurbishment works.

Edinburgh Waverley: The 13.07 service to Milngavie boarding at Waverley platform 8 on 17 May 2013.

Nuneaton: Business as usual: this is the weekday evening (18.30) Freightliner which passes Nuneaton's platform 7 (as shown) unless it is diverted past platform 6 to allow the sand train to access the North Chord (Tu Th only) see image [[42951]]. It arrives from the Birmingham direction, and leaves on the WCML. 66564 is in charge on 17 May. Network Rail - reinstated Leicester-Birmingham flyover line

Haymarket: Looking west through Haymarket station on 17 May 2013 as the East Coast 09.52 Aberdeen - London Kings Cross HST runs into platform 1. Meantime, work continues all around on the major rebuilding works in connection with the new train/tram interchange.

St Margarets Shed: The ScotRail 13.17 ex-Newcraighall about to pass the site of St Margarets locomotive shed on a bright and sunny 17 May 2013. Photograph taken from alongside the tunnel under London Road.

Edinburgh Waverley: Work in progress on sub platforms 8 & 9 at Waverley in May 2013, including construction of a new canopy. View is west towards Waverley Bridge, showing the bricked-up section of the parapet that once accommodated the covered entrance and stairway serving the sub. This short brick section links the metal parapet of Waverley Bridge with the historic former railway building described in detail at [[76715]].

Edinburgh Waverley: Scene on the 'sub' platforms on 17 May 2013. View west from the car park as the Virgin Trains 06.19 ex-Birmingham New Street runs into platform 8.

St Margarets Shed: View south east over the car park at Meadowbank Stadium on 17 May 2013. The car park was once occupied by railway workshops, while the buildings on the down side of the line stand on the site of the main St Margarets running shed. The shed (latterly coded 64A) was, in the 1950s, home to over 200 steam locomotives. The grey structure on the right stands alongside the site once occupied by St Margarets signal box, with the tunnel under London Road just beyond. Top right are the tenements of London Road itself... nowadays a smoke-free zone. Passing is the 13.30 Edinburgh - Kings Cross.

Edinburgh Waverley: High level talks. Looking east from Waverley Bridge on 17 May 2013 as a discussion group meets on the roof of the new canopy being constructed over 'sub' platforms 8 and 9. Skulking below in the shadows is a Voyager, boarding as the 10.51 Virgin Trains service to Birmingham New Street.

York Place [Tram]: Looking west along York Place on 17 May 2013 from what will become the Edinburgh Trams eastern terminus. St Paul's and St George's Church is on the right.

Edinburgh Waverley: Looking west along Market Street towards the North Bridge in May 2013, with the roughcast rear of the Edinburgh Signalling Centre visible on the far right. The substantial plinth incorporated within the retaining wall at this point once had a supporting role in the 200m long footbridge that once linked Jeffrey Street with Calton Road. For a view of the old bridge see image [[55879]].

Haymarket: The changing face of Haymarket. View east on 17 May 2013 as the ScotRail 1222 Edinburgh Waverley - Cowdenbeath arrives at platform 2.

West End - Princes Street [Tram]: After the grinder. Close-up of a section of tram rail in Shandwick Place on 17 May 2013 following the passage of the rail grinder a few days earlier see image [[42993]].

Haymarket [Tram]: 'Left a bit...' Putting the finishing touches to the Haymarket tram stop on 17 May 2013. View is east along Haymarket Terrace with the station off to the right.

Edinburgh Waverley: The 12.03 CrossCountry arrival from Birmingham New Street stands at Waverley platform 9 on 17 May 2013. The train will leave here just over an hour later as the 13.06 to Plymouth.

Edinburgh Waverley: Work in progress on the south side of Waverley station on 17 May 2013 - looking west. The sweeping roof of the new Market Street entrance can be clearly seen, with covered stairways running off towards the station car park (bottom left) and sub platforms 8 & 9, where work is well underway on the new canopies. Far right is a section of the recently reglazed roof of the main station.

Haymarket [Tram]: '....AND YOU!' A construction worker on the Edinburgh Airport tram route exchanges greetings with the driver of a passing Airlink bus at Haymarket on 17 May.

Haymarket: The changing view looking east along platforms 2 and 3 at Haymarket on 17 May 2013. Recently arrived at platform 2 is the 12.28 Edinburgh - Inverurie service, while the 08.20 Voyager ex-Birmingham New Street is preparing to leave no 3 on the final leg of its journey to Waverley.

West End - Princes Street [Tram]: The tram stop under construction in Shandwick Place on 17 May, complete with crossover. Photographed looking north east towards Princes Street. See image [[41476]]

Merrygill Viaduct: Engineering on a grand scale: Merrygill viaduct, looking towards Darlington in May 2014. Hartley quarry is just out of shot to the right.

Kirkby Stephen East: This chap seems to be quite happy driving a steam engine on the Stainmore line see image [[47625]]. Wouldn't you be?

Kirkby Stephen East: All right, I confess. I have never seen expansion loops in cab gauge lines before. A very sensible detail see image [[47767]].

Chevington: A southbound HST runs over the level crossing at Chevington, Northumberland (station closed 1958) on 17 May 2014.

Podgill Viaduct: Looking back towards Kirkby Stephen over Podgill viaduct on 17 May 2014. [Ref query 7915]

Blue Anchor: With the Bristol Channel in the background, GWR 2-6-2T 4160 leaves Blue Anchor with a passenger service for Minehead on 17th May 2014. Behind the train, and sadly just out of sight, was maroon Western hydraulic D1010 on a light engine movement towards Williton.

Kirkby Stephen East: A panoramic view of Kirkby Stephen East, taken from the former goods yard during a Branch Line Society visit in May 2014 see image [[47625]].

Bamber Bridge: Colas Railfreight no.56087 passes Bamber Bridge on 17 May 2014 whilst working the 6J37 Carlisle Yard to Chirk log train.

Hartley Quarry: It pays to be observant when walking old railways. The rolled stone trackbed descending to the left is the SDLUR to Kirkby Stephen East; the photographer is exploring a headshunt for Hartley Quarry and looking towards Darlington.

Lynton: The refuelling process on the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway, as seen here, involves using diverted water from the River Lyn to fill the 700 gallon tank of the car at the upper level. When both cars are ready to depart, water is discharged from the lower car until the correct balance is achieved and they begin to move.

Kirkby Stephen East: EWS liveried 47785 enjoying the sunshine on the short, but perfectly formed, revival of the Stainmore line in May 2014 see image [[40361]].

Kirkby Stephen East: Not every day you see the original SDLUR 'plum, mandarin, and raspberry' coach livery. Peckett no. 2084 see image [[44743]] makes an enthusiastic departure from the recently lengthened platforms at Kirkby Stephens 'other' station.

Merrygill Viaduct: Looking East along the Stainmore line towards Darlington at Merrygill in May 2014. The viaduct and PW hut (containing interesting photographs and maps) are substantially complete and the remains of the signalbox make a useful flowerbed. This part of the line is a footpath or cyclepath, about 2 miles long, starting at Kirkby Stephen East. [Ref query 6556]

Hartley Quarry: This unusually shaped abutment surely belongs in the 'Railway Modeller's Prototype for Everything' department. It is on the Stainmore line, adjacent to Hartley Quarry see image [[49555 for an image a few yards further on]].

Merrygill Viaduct: The buildings at Hartley Quarry, seen (just) from Merrygill viaduct in May 2014 see image [[47760]].

Highbridge and Burnham: Highbridge was formerly the point where the Somerset and Dorset's Burnham-on-Sea branch intersected the Great Western main line on a flat crossing. The S&D branch closed in 1966 and modern housing now occupies that part of the station but two sets of rail wheels on a short section of track commemorate the old railway. The surviving platforms enjoy a regular service of stopping trains between Taunton and Bristol.

Battersea Park: 378153, with a London Overground service terminating at Battersea Park station, on 17th May 2014. This is not a regular London Overground station but very occasionally, when for one reason or another it is not possible for these trains to run to Clapham Junction, they are diverted over the route of the former South London Metro to Battersea Park where connections can be made for Clapham Junction. These platforms were closed to regular trains in December 2010 and the track from the former London Bridge bound platform (on right) has been removed.

Kirkby Stephen East: 'Would suit enthusiast'... seems to best describe the condition of 37674 at the Stainmore Railway headquarters, Kirkby Stephen East, in May 2014.

Hartley Quarry: Hard to believe that this location once throbbed to the sound of steam engines hauling iron ore. The Stainmore trackbed looking towards Darlington in May 2014, just beyond the end of the Two Viaducts Trail from Kirkby Stephen.

Lynmouth: Descending car on the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway as seen from the Lynmouth station. This water powered system, rising 500 feet at 1:1.75, can only be described as a breathtaking piece of Victorian engineering.

Kirkby Stephen East: Looking towards Darlington in May 2014 under an accommodation bridge on the Two Viaducts Trial, about half a mile from Kirkby Stephen East.

Lynton: View from the balcony of a car about to descend from Lynton to Lynmouth. Note the slight widening of the tracks at the half way passing point in the cutting. The River Lyn, from which the water to power the railway is drawn off at the upper level, can just be seen through the bridge railings as it reaches the sea.

Burnley Manchester Road: A Blackburn to Manchester Victoria service, via the reinstated Todmorden curve, calls at Burnley Manchester Road on a damp 17 May 2015.

Newington [NBR]: Colas 56087 with an Alloa - Millerhill empty ballast train runs through the site of Newington station on 17 May 2015.

Todmorden: Northern 158816 on a westbound Calder Valley service calls at Todmorden on 17 May 2015.

Newington [NBR]: DRS 66302+66434 passing through Newington with the diverted Mossend - Daventry 'Tesco' train, returning from a reversal at Millerhill on 17 May 2015.

Burnley Manchester Road: The first service to use the reinstated Todmorden Curve, the 2J61 0818 hrs Blackburn to Manchester Victoria, arrives at Burnley Manchester Road station on time on Sunday 17 May 2015.

Todmorden: The first northbound service to use the re-instated Todmorden Curve on 17 May was the 2J60 0840 hrs Manchester Victoria - Clitheroe, seen here about to arrive at Todmorden. The service involved a reversal at Blackburn and replaced the normal route from Manchester via Bolton which is closed at weekends due to the engineering work on Farnworth Tunnel.

Burnley Manchester Road: A view from the car park of the new Burnley Manchester Road station on 17 May 2015.

Haltwhistle: The water tank on the Newcastle bound side of Haltwhistle station still looking amazingly fresh, taken on 17/05/2015. See image [[48745]]

Blackford Hill: DBS 66423 passes the site of Blackford Hill signalbox on 17 May 2015 with a Coatbridge - Daventry (via Millerhill) intermodal service.

Newington [NBR]: Freightliner 66616 passes the site of Newington Station on 17 May with a Holytown - Millerhill engineers train.

Edinburgh Waverley: A pun too far? Customers seem to have little regard for the final message and have been licking the letters off.

Perth: A 5-coach service for Glasgow Central (yes, Central) leaves Perth.

Ladybank: The latest version of the ScotRail network map sees the return of colour coding. It's a pity that the colours don't always match those on the timetables ...

Bo'ness: Bo'Ness station, Bo'Ness & Kinneil Railway, on a different site to the one closed in 1956, seen here looking towards Birkhill and Manuel, on 17th May 2016. The all-weather protection roof was salvaged from Haymarket station in Edinburgh while the building on the left came from Wormit station on the Tayport branch that had closed in May 1969.

Bo'ness: Having arrived at Bo'Ness from Manuel a short time earlier and completed its running round, ex-LNER J94 Class Austerity Tank no. 68007 is now at the head of the return service to Manuel, on 17th May 2016.

Birkhill: The delightful wooded setting of Birkhill station, Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway, as it was on 17th May 2016. The building was brought here from Monifieth on the Dundee to Aberdeen line when that station was rebuilt in 1988.

Craigendoran Pier: Sadly not the reinstatement of Craigendoran Pier station but works to install a pipeline along the shore.

Linlithgow: 170402 on an Edinburgh Waverley service at Linlithgow on 17th May 2016.

Linlithgow: Exterior of Linlithgow station, on 17th May 2016. Some time during the previous six years a double-arrow sign had been installed above the entrance. See image [[30354]] from 2010.

Bowling: K1 62005 passes Bowling basin en route from Grosmont to Fort William in heavy rain.

Craigendoran Junction: 62005 restarts and takes to the West Highland Line at Craigendoran Junction after a pause. The locomotive is on its way to Fort William for the Jacobite season.

Hungerford: GWR's 166217 bound for Bedwyn at Hungerford on 17th May 2017.

Kirkby Viaduct: 37425 heads for Carlisle, crossing the tidal inlet at Kirkby Pool just to the north of the station, on 16th May 2017.

Hungerford: GBRf 66747 with a train of stone empties, westbound heading for the Somerset quarries through Hungerford on 17th May 2017.

Paisley Canal: 380 at Paisley Canal, forming the 1835 to Glasgow Central.

Bank Mill: Bridge over the siding into Bank Mill, Penicuik.

Hungerford: A1 60163 Tornado, westbound through Hungerford on a wet and windy 17th May 2017, heading for Bristol Temple Meads with the Belmond British Pullman stock.

Portobello [2nd]: The blocked up entrance to the subway leading to the island station at Portobello. The station closed in 1964 and there were calls for it to reopen almost immediately. We are still waiting. The location is Christian Path which sounds like something out of Pilgrims' Progress. I decided on balance not to leave my tag.

Dalston: The stopping point for North bound Loco hauled trains at Dalston (request stop)

Carlisle: The slightly late running 11.34 Edinburgh to Manchester Airport Trans Pennine Express waits to leave Carlisle in May 2018.

Edinburgh Waverley: Since the Market Street entrance to Waverley was made more welcoming a few years ago it seems to be treated as a mini-concourse, perhaps by visitors who think it is the concourse. To be fair Waverely must be confusing place to strangers and it being below street level doesn't help.

Carlisle: 88007 Electra slows going North through Carlisle on the Tesco intermodal service. 17th May 2018

Joppa [1st]: A Tweedbank service rounds the curve towards Brunstane station, still accelerating from the crawl imposed by the junction. Both lines are bi-directional; the left one is the suburban circle.

Carlisle: 57308 Jamie Ferguson ticking over on stand by alongside the Network Rail Measurement Train top and tailed by 37421 and 37254 Cardiff Canton on a beautiful Spring Morning, 17th May 2018.

Carlisle: Colas Rail 37254 Cardiff Canton on the tail end of the Network Rail Measurement Train at Carlisle on 17th May 2018.

Brock: A freshly shopped DB 66175 approaches the bridge over the River Brock on 17th May 2018 hauling a long rake of empty container flats from Seaforth to Mossend.

Brock: For much of the year the evening flasks from Sellafield to Crewe run in darkness but summer brings photo opportunities. 68033 Courageous and 68030 Enterprise pass the site of Brock water troughs as they head south with three wagons on 15th May 2018.

Brock: The Carlisle to Chirk log train has two paths, via the S&C or via Shap. The S&C routing seems to predominate but on 17th May 2018 the train ran via the WCML and is seen passing through the site of long closed Brock station behind Colas 60085.

Ogmore Vale: Ogmore Vale station looking South towards Bridgend. There was a level crossing at the end of the platforms and the station building was on the right. The station opened originally as Tynewydd in 1873 and changed its name to Ogmore Vale in 1902 closing in 1958.

Dalston: 68004 Rapid and 68003 Astute top and tail a three coach set seen leaving the request stop at Dalston on the 08.51 to Barrow-in-Furness on the last week of the loco hauled trains continuing beyond Barrow-in-Furness. This is not the end of loco hauled trains on the Cumbrian Coast line however as the class 68s and 37s each still have a daily diagram between Barrow and Carlisle.

Carlisle: A Pacer unit sits in Carlisle's platform 5 on 17th May 2018, waiting to form the 11.35 service to Newcastle. You can just make out the bunting in the waiting area for the Royal Wedding two days later. I don't think I would like to travel all the way to Newcastle in one of these units. They are OK on long welded rails but very uncomfortable on short jointed rails.

Wyndham Halt: The remains of Wyndham Halt which is between Ogmore Vale and Nantymoel looking North towards Nantymoel. Wyndham Halt opened in 1942 and closed on the 5th of May 1958.

Aberdour: Aberdour signal box on 17th May 2018. Artist Lynette Gray undertook the restoration of the signal box, which was completed in Spring 2017. It is the latest venue to be created under ScotRail's adoption scheme. The signal box is a private studio, primarily used for creating ceramic work. My Dad was admiring the restoration, while I was waiting to catch a train.

Ogmore Vale: Ogmore Vale station looking North towards Nantymoel the signal box was on the right before the level crossing. The station opened originally as Tynewydd in 1873 and changed its name to Ogmore Vale in 1902 closing in 1958.

Dalston: Two car dmu 156475 in Northern Rail colours approaching the request stop at Dalston at 10.00 with the service from Whitehaven to Carlisle. A toot on the horn, a wave from the driver and wasn't required to stop.

Northumberland Park [London]: The rebuilt Northumberland Park station on the Lea Valley Line, looking south, with, on the left, the new bi-directional platform and track for the shuttle service from Meridian Water to Stratford that starts on 9th September 2019. Since there is already a service to Stratford along the Lea Valley Line, I don't really see the point of this service (am I missing something?) and, indeed, on the right is 317656 with 317501 calling with a service to Stratford, on 17th May 2019.

Dalgety Bay: Colas 70814 nears Dalgety Bay with the Aberdeen Craiginches - Oxwellmains cement empties on 17th May 2019.

Barton and Broughton: 47853 approaches the footbridge at St. Heliers Place, just north of Barton and Broughton loop, taking Black 5 45231 and its support coach from Crewe to Carlisle on 17th May 2019.

West Kilbride: West Kilbride building under renovation to form some sort of food outlet in May 2019.

Barton and Broughton: 47853 piloted Black 5 45231, in light steam, from Crewe to Carlisle on 17th May 2019. The two are seen from St. Helier's footbridge and had just passed 61306 and the 'Steam Dreams' railtour on the outskirts of Preston. 45231 was going north prior to working 'The Lakelander' from Carlisle to Carnforth via Workington the following day.

Barton and Broughton: After touring Scotland B1 61306 remained in charge of the 'Steam Dreams' railtour and took the final leg from Carnforth to Euston. WCRC 47802 brought up the rear of the train, which is seen passing the St. Helier's footbridge approaching Barton & Broughton on 17th May 2019.

Barton and Broughton: 61306 'Mayflower' sweeps past the St. Helier's Place footbridge taking a 'Steam Dreams' special towards Preston on 17th May 2019. The weather sheet, between the tender and cab of the B1, looks particularly robust.

Farington: On Day 9 of the Steam Dreams 'The Highlands & Islands' railtour, B1 no. 61306 'Mayflower' hauls the final leg of the tour from Carnforth to Euston. In this side view of the loco it was moving quite slowly on the Up Fast at Farington, south of Preston following a similarly slow moving Pendolino.

Touch South Junction: Memories of Touch South Junction. This plate is on a bridge between Dunfermline Town and Dunfermline Queen Margaret.

Listowel: This is a modern reproduction of a Lartigue monorail steam engine. (photo courtesy of Malcom McKay) It is diesel powered, and one-third lighter than the steam-powered original.

Northumberland Park [London]: The rebuilt Northumberland Park station on the Lea Valley Line, with - surprise, surprise - a ubiquitous bus stop style waiting shelter - looking north along the new bi-directional line towards Meridian Water, whose opening has been delayed, on the evening of Friday, 17th May 2019. This new track is on the site of the two lifted tracks that were removed when the Lea Valley Line was reduced from quadruple to double track at the tail end of the 1960s.
See query 2085

West Kilbride: The main entrance at West Kilbride was hidden by fencing for many years.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: There must have been a few people who found themselves (or more likely were found) in the 1st class section of the new 4 coach 3851xx units, as a new and more obvious yellow designation reminiscent of the old BR livery has started to appear.

Listowel: What do you mean, you've never seen a turntable on a monorail? Let me explain how this works - but first, buy me a Guinness. Photo courtesy of Malcolm McKay

Barton and Broughton: Another CAF Civity EMU on test in May 2019. 3-car 331005 was shuttling between Preston and Carnforth when seen at Barton and Broughton heading north. I'm thinking the four car sets will perhaps work out of Leeds on West Yorkshire services and the three car units out of Manchester and Liverpool but time will tell.

Farington Curve Junction: I thought at first that this EMU was slowing for the signal at Farington Curve Junction but it was just a Class 319 and, although they sound really good, they are nothing like as fleet of foot as the new Northern trains. They are solid though and 319379 was standing in for the more usual CAF 331 as many of these new units are temporarily stood down due to a problem with the yaw bracket attachments. Other trains are short formed until these problems are resolved.

Farington Curve Junction: Viewed from Bee Lane bridge, 156441 negotiates the pointwork at Farington Curve Junction as it swings across to join the Ormskirk line on 17th May 2021. A 153 single unit used to be allocated to this route for the day and shuttled up and down the branch but, when the service frequency was increased to hourly, the diagrams were incorporated with those on the Blackpool South and Colne services and five different units (150/156/158) now go to Ormskirk each day.

Usan Signal Box: 800101, with the 14:52 Aberdeen to Newcastle, a few miles south of Montrose on 17th May 2021.

Usan Signal Box: A lucky shot, as I headed away from Dunninald cemetery amid imminent rain showers, Caledonian Sleeper 73969 running LE to Aberdeen on 17th May 2021.

Ribbleton [2nd]: It is over ninety years since passengers last used Ribbleton, on the Longridge branch from Preston, but the station survived as a dwelling. The grass in the foreground covers the trackbed, and the cyclepath from Deepdale diverts around the back of the building before joining the old line again on the opposite side of the road. This view in May 2021 is from Gammull Lane, where the bridge over the line has been removed. Around this time the Preston Trampower organisation announced that they had bought this historic building to use as their headquarters.

Haymarket: View of Haymarket station from above the tunnel mouths. I wonder if the proprietor of Easter Dalry House (far left) was compensated when the railway came along and spoiled his semi-rural idyll? One can easily see where the previous footbridge left the 1842 station building. Who’d guess from the front that the solid, confident structure is on stilts?

Burscough Bridge: It has been a long time coming but 17 May 2021 saw the introduction into passenger service of the Class 769 Flex trains for Northern. 769s were operating Alderley Edge to Southport and Stalybridge to Southport services. Seen departing from Burscough Bridge is the 2W23 service from Stalybridge.

Cameron Bridge [1st]: Cameron Bridge on 17 May 2022. Very little sign of activity other than the use of trackbed as a service road from the Cameron Bridge (2nd) works compound to other sites to the west. The yard track remains largely untouched.